MEMPHIS, TN (localmemphis.com) - When the weather is crisp, leaves are falling, and football is on TV, it can be easy to ignore those fall chores.

But if you want to stay cozy and avoid costly problems this winter, you better get to work.

In today's Angie's List report, the three projects every homeowner should cross off their checklist.

Gutter cleaning is not glamorous, but it's one of the most important jobs on any fall to-do list.

"Your gutters should not be ignored because leaves will gather there which will lead to mold as well as bugs, even ice damming in the winter. And if you're like some people, you might actually get a garden growing in your gutters which can be pretty embarrassing. So, taking care of them can lead to better health of your home, especially your roof," Angie Hicks of Angie's List said.

Whether you do it yourself or hire a pro, do not neglect the downspouts when cleaning.

"You also want to make sure that all of your gutters are actually nailed in properly and look at your gutter boards and make sure that they are sealed," handyman Elden Foltz said.

Once your gutters are clear, turn your attention to sealing drafts around windows and doors. Walk through your home with a lit candle or stick of incense to see where cold air is seeping in.

"If you don't seal the windows what's going to happen is a lot of energy is going to be dispensed out and you're going to lose money," Foltz said.

When sealing a window, make sure the area is free from dust and old paint or caulk.

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Angie's List: Fall Home Preps

Elections are considered a celebration of democracy. However, the upcoming elections in Maharashtra seem to be a festival reserved only for our netas. After the inception of the state, the political ethos in Maharashtra has degraded consistently but in the 2014 elections, it has hit rock bottom. This assembly election is centered around wholesale political defections, criminals gaining in stature, and the naked display of wealth. And the media, which is supposed to keep an eye on this, is allegedly indulging in paid news. The Congress, NCP want to retain power by hook or by crook and theShiv Sena, MNS and BJP have sniffed their best possible chance as well. In the lust for power, conscience has gone out of the window.

Bowing down to the 'rising sun' is a commonly seen mindset. Unsurprisingly, defectors are hovering around theBJP who have in turn welcomed these defectors with open arms. Among the 256 seats contested by BJP, 59 candidates have been imported from various parties. One-third of these imported candidates belonged to the NCP. Of course, the Congress, Shiv Sena andMNS are not an exception to defections, but their numbers are not as big. If BJP emerges as the single largest party, one-third of their candidates will be those not loyal to the partys ideology. In 1990, the Congress gave tickets to criminals like Pappu Kalani and Hitendra Thakur. At that time, Sharad Pawar overlooked their shady character and focused only on elective merit. TheBJP and other opposition parties had rightly gone hammer and tongs against this. But 24 years later, theBJP has followed the footsteps of Pawar by incorporating people like Vijaykumar Gavit and Babanrao Pachpute. More than 70% of these imported candidates are crorepatis.

But why pillory the BJP alone? Shiv Sena has given candidatures to Uday Samant, Deepak Kesarkar, Prakash Surve, Ravindra Phatak, and Anil Babar. All of them have been welcomed from theNCP-Congress. Then,Prithviraj Pawar, a BJP leader, is fighting on behalf of the Shiv Sena. The only reason why defectors have not thronged the Congress, NCP and MNS is that their chances of winning are negligible.

Criminalisation of politics dates back to the early 90s. Theagitations of Anna Hazare and GRKhairnar had given voice to the distressed electorate. Sharad Pawar was capsized. But all parties have conveniently forgotten this history. The Association for Democratic Reforms scrutinized 2336 candidates and 798 of them have criminal backgrounds, which is 34%. Among them, 23% have serious charges like murder, attempt to murder, abduction, communal instigation and so on leveled against them. BJP and Shiv Sena lead the race here as well. BJP has gone a step further by giving a candidature to Anil Gote, who was imprisoned in the Telgi scam. Chhota Rajans brother, Deepak Nikalje, is a candidate from the Republican party of India (RPI), BJPs ally. The most shocking aspect of this is that these tainted leaders share the stage with Prime MinisterNarendraModi with pride. Then there are Suresh Jain and Gulab Devkarfighting the elections from jail. Imprisoned because of their involvement in Jalgaons Gharkul scam, they have shamelessly been given tickets by the Shiv Sena and NCP respectively. Udhhav Thackeray has also given deported Suhas Kande a chance. TheCongress-NCP have mastered the art of criminalisation and it should come as a surprise if all their candidates are clean. MNS is not an exception either. Raj Thackerays party has openly espoused violence in the past. Deplorably, these people will make laws for us after they become MLAs.

Another NGO has found that 47% of the candidates across the state are crorepatis and that 10 of them have made more than 100 crores. TheNCPthat had 76% crorepatislast time, has 83% crorepatis now. TheBJPs rise is also staggering -- from 54% to 81% crorepati candidates. Congress number of 66% has gone up to 81%. The Shiv Sena is not behind either, they had 45% crorepatis in 2009 and today the number is 71%. After looking at these figures, it would hardly come as a surprise if cars stacked with cash are found during the campaign. More than Rs 15 crorehas been confiscated and a complaint has been filled against Ajit Pawar as well. Majority of the candidates perceive this as an investment, which will pay huge dividends in the next five years.

The campaign has ended now. From Shivaji to Afzal Khan, and from roaring tiger to a mouse; everyone has been invoked in this election. But the issues that dominated headlines in the last five years have vanished from the agenda of political parties. The irrigation scam, farmers' suicides, the states derailing economy, unemployment and womens security - none of these issues have been relentlessly pursued by the political parties. The campaign has come down to passing slander remarks about others and stylish oratory skills. And as I mentioned earlier, very few media houses have admonished our politicians for being responsible for the degradation of the political discourse. Most of them are busy making money.

Maharashtra, a state that is known for its philosophers, stooping down to this level is a gloomy development. The results will be out on October 19. All the surveys predict unprecedented success for theBJP. It will be a historical result if theBJP comes out with an absolute majority, something that has never happened since the inception of the state. If this happens, one will have to credit Modi for it. However, the moot question is: whoever forms the government in Maharashtra, are they going to dedicate themselves to cleaning up this gutter?

Views expressed are the author's own

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Maharashtra Elections 2014: Who will clean up this gutter?

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Gutter Cleaning Toledo | Gutter Man Gutters | Gutter Cleaning Service
If you #39;re looking for gutter cleaning in Toledo, call Gutter Man Gutters at 419-496-8950. We are a gutter cleaning service and provide affordable rain gutter cleaning to all residents and businesse...

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Gutter Cleaning Toledo | Gutter Man Gutters | Gutter Cleaning Service - Video

The author points out that Churchill was not in the team for Harrow football, his public school's uniquely violent version of the game, nor did he play cricket, and on one occasion he ran away and hid in the woods when the other boys threw cricket balls at him. He also had a stammer as well as his famous lisp, which would inevitably have been picked on by other boys.

Churchill identified in later life his desire to show the bullies he was made of sterner stuff.

In a letter to his mother, explaining what Mr Johnson describes as his "suicidal daring" in the 1897 battle of Malakand, Churchill wrote: "Being in many ways a coward - particularly at school - there is no ambition I cherish so keenly as to gain a reputation for personal courage."

Churchill showed reckless bravery over and over again in battles on four continents during his time as a soldier, though Mr Johnson suggests he had already shown his courage as a teenager, when "by an act of will he decided to defeat his cowardice and his stammer, and to be the 80-pound weakling who uses dumb-bells to acquire the body of Charles Atlas".

He cites as an example the day he was playing hare and hounds with his brother and cousin in Dorset, when they trapped him on a bridge, leaving him with no escape route. Spotting a fir tree next to the bridge, Churchill leapt onto it, fell to the ground and did not regain consciousness for three days, or leave his bed for three months. It was just one of countless episodes in which he could, and perhaps should, have lost his life, but which made him all the more prepared to take the sort of risks that made him the ultimate war leader.

"Having vanquished his own cowardice," writes Mr Johnson, "it was easy to vanquish everything else."

He suggests that the episode on the bridge in Dorset showed: "The imagination, the bravado and the ability to take a decision in a flash.

"Churchill's bravery wasn't something he just put on. It wasn't a mask he struggled with. He was made like that. The spirit of derring-do just pumped through his veins, like some higher-octane fuel than the one the rest of us run on. Nothing could stop him."

Like Hitler, Stalin and others, Churchill possessed an enormous ego, writes Mr Johnson. He suggests that Churchill regarded himself as the greatest man in the greatest empire on earth, and therefore the greatest man on earth, though he points out that other historians go further, suggesting that Churchill saw himself as the greatest man in the greatest empire in history, and therefore the "greatest man in the history of the world".

But unlike the 20th century's murderous dictators, Churchill had a "greatness of heart" that marked him out as a man of immense compassion. When his mother decided to sack his nanny, Churchill was appalled, and used his meagre income to help support her financially (he paid for her gravestone when he was only 20). He was generous to his staff, and even to strangers.

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Sir Winston Churchill may have had 'short man syndrome', suggests Boris Johnson

GUTTER CLEANING North Shore 03/10 KILLARA SYDNEY
Adrian Cleaned Gutters in Killara On the North Shore of Sydney Safely using an extendable Gurney. All Work done using a harness.

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Myrtle Beach, SC (PRWEB) October 09, 2014

Window Genie announces the grand opening of its newest location in Myrtle Beach on Monday October 13th. Tom Washer is the owner/operator. Window Genie is a nationally ranked home service franchise specializing in window cleaning, window tinting, pressure washing, gutter cleaning and more. Window Genie of Myrtle Beach will service the surrounding Grand Strand areas from Little River to Georgetown.

Prior to Window Genie business ownership, Tom Washer spent 4 years in the Air Force before a career in sales management for a variety of industries. Working in sales brought him all over the country from Texas to New Mexico to Connecticut to Massachusetts. Tom and his wife Cheryl decided to relocate to Myrtle Beach to open their business because its where much of their family now lives. Washer said, Were very family oriented and wanted to find an opportunity to move down here. Long-term security along with my vast knowledge of sales and personal service has motivated me to start a business.

Working with a franchise coach at The Entrepreneurs Source, Washer was able to narrow down which business opportunities fit him best. He said, I like to be out and about, interacting and providing a personal experience for the customer. We quickly realized a home service oriented business was what I was looking for, but there are a lot of options out there. While researching businesses specializing in customer service, Washer found that Window Genie stood out among the rest. He said, I ultimately chose Window Genie for its potential for growth and success. We can build a loyal customer base by offering a variety of services for every home at every budget.

Toms wife Cheryl Waterhouse will help run the business, providing administrative and customer support. We are excited to finally get out there in the community together and meet our customers, Washer said. We are motivated to build a strong reputation in the community resulting in a loyal, repeat customer base.

Tom and Cheryl have three children each of whom are actively involved in providing a service to their community or country. Matt is a Marine pilot and has served two tours of duty in Afghanistan. Tom is an assistant controller for a national general contracting firm that is a recognized leader in the retail construction service industry. Monica resides in Japan with her husband who is in the Navy. Window Genie of Myrtle Beach will support the Wounded Warrior Foundation. Tom said, I served many years ago and serving our country and supporting those who serve is a big part of our family. We are determined to make community service a big part of the business.

Window Genie of Myrtle Beach officially opens for business on Monday October 13th. To learn more about Window Genie of Myrtle Beach or for a free estimate, contact Tom Washer at (843) 691-0100 or twasher(at)windowgenie(dot)com

Franchise opportunities available nationwide. Window Genie offers incentives to veteran franchise owners. For more information please visit: http://windowgeniefranchise.com

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Local Veteran Opens Window Genie Franchise in Myrtle Beach

Gutter Guard Review - Helmet or Any Hood Gutter Guards - Part 2
Gutter Guard comparison demonstrating how these gutter covers handle waterflow from a heavy rain. Call 419-496-8950 or visit http://guttermangutters.com and see our three different models of...

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Gutter Guard Review - Helmet or Any Hood Gutter Guards - Part 2 - Video

GUTTER CLEANING Sutherland Shire 01/10 KAREELA Sydney
Adrian removes Asparagus fern from a Gutter in Kareela in the Sutherland Shire and then Proceeds to Install a New Hanger. All work was done safely using a Ha...

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Sherwin-Williams and Reilly Painting and Contracting test out a product that can turn any wall into a dry erase board. Reilly Painting and Contracting is a Cleveland Heights licensed contracting...

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